Surprising Many: the LinkedIn Answers Feature is Immediately Discontinued
LinkedIn announced that effective January 31, 2013 they are shutting down the “Answers” feature which allowed users a place to ask a question and get response from anyone on LinkedIn.
According to the LinkedIn site, “We’ll be focusing our efforts on the development of new and more engaging ways to share and discuss professional topics across LinkedIn. In the meantime, you can still pose questions and facilitate professional discussions through other popular LinkedIn channels including LinkedIn Polls, Groups, or status updates.”
History on the LinkedIn Answers Feature
LinkedIn first introduced this feature in 2007. It provided the opportunity for users to post a query to your LinkedIn network (including second-level connections)that was meant to glean answers and insights from other LinkedIn users. Questioners could then rate the best response and the person who provided the best answers would carry more weight for upcoming Answers.
It is also stated that they are not retiring other LinkedIn features such as: groups and polls. The big of the day is that LinkedIn Answers will be completely deleted from the site.
It is interesting: by conducting a Bing Search for the long-tail keyword “LinkedIn Answers Feature”, currently, you will see a response like this:
Answers – LinkedIn
www.linkedin.com/answers
We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us.
Wait & See What LinkedIn may do to Replace the Answers Feature
With their overview of how the LinkedIn platform works best, where the social media giant is going, even LinkedIn features that users love and rely may go away. Some return later revamped and better. LinkedIn discontinued this feature, along with thousands of great Q&A conversations that are no longer accessible to users. But, there are some exciting new features for LinkedIn lead generation that make sense and respond to user requests.
A big part of successful business blogging and posting starts with a strong idea that resonates with your target audience. LinkedIn can still give users that ability. Look at the questions posed by your LinkedIn followers for your industry, and then provide those questions’ answer on the hottest conversations. Your answers can become fodder for your business and be just the answers that others on LinkedIn are looking for.
“This is really a shame; I always thought LinkedIn Answers was one of the most valuable parts of the site.” ~ Amy Vernon , a Social Marketing at Internet Media Labs
